Can't lose weight

2sitzais

I have been eating better and was exercising the past couple weeks and I actually gained weight. Normally I am 130lbs 5'2 female. That's what I have been a majority of my adult life. Now i am ay 160lbs. I know it did not happen overnight but how can I get back to that weight?

Panini911

What do you mean "eating better". In order to loose weight you need to eat fewer calories than you use up. So called "healthier foods" can really add up calorie wise.

Input your stats in MFP and put in for a 1lb a week loss and it will give you a starting calorie goal. Measure, weight and log all you eat to see where you are at. Note that it is built so that you eat back any extra exercise calories.

quiksylver296

Panini911

Here is a link with some info to get you started https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300331/most-helpful-posts-getting-started-must-reads#latest

try2again

When you add a new exercise program, your body retains water for muscle repair and the weight from the water may initially mask any fat loss. If you are in a true calorie deficit, you will see the number on the scale go down over time, but likely not every week. Some weeks the number on the scale may even go up, like you've experienced, due to natural fluctuations. Only be concerned if you don't see a loss over a month or so. But do take the steps outlined in the previous posts to ensure you are in a calorie deficit.

BrianSharpe

Are you measuring and logging every morsel of food that passes your lips? If not you can be "eating better" in that you're eating more nutritious food, avoiding junk food etc but still be consuming too many calories.

The key is to consistently eat at a modest caloric deficit over time. MFP takes exercise calories into account when determining what your daily intake should be but you should be aware that many exercise calculators exaggerate the calories burned during exercise.

Be patient, it may take time but you want to adopt eating habits that you can stick with for the rest of your life. Good luck!

2sitzais

Thank you to everyone. I will try to be more strict with what I am eating and the amount.

funjen1972

"Can't" isn't a consideration. You can do this! Follow the advice given above and you will lose. You can!

JeromeBarry1

Once you start doing it right, you will lose weight. It's going to take some time, but there's no better time to start than now.

2sitzais

Is it better to exercise on an empty stomach or after eaten? I have learned so much just looking around this app it's amazing

born_of_fire74

2sitzais wrote: »

Is it better to exercise on an empty stomach or after eaten? I have learned so much just looking around this app it's amazing

Either is fine depending on your personal preference. Some people like to exercise fasted, some people don't. Nutrient timing is really only a consideration if you are an athlete competing in some sport. It's not a concern for most of us regular folk just looking to get fit and maintain a healthy weight.

try2again

2sitzais wrote: »

Thank you to everyone. I will try to be more strict with what I am eating and the amount.

There is no need to be more strict with what you are eating unless you have a particular health condition that requires it or nutritional goals you want to meet. For weight loss, all you need to do is to learn to log accurately, preferably with the help of a food scale, and consistently meet the calorie goal MFP has given you, though over time you may find certain foods are more helpful than others when it comes to meeting that goal.

LKArgh

What you are eating matters for health and for how satisfied you will feel. If you base your diet on junk food, it might be very hard to feel happy with a limited amount of calories, so controlling what you eat is a good start. But to lose weight, you do need to limit calories, regardless of healthy or not are your food choices.